In January 1918, the Spanish magazine Graphic worldwhich was published between 1911 and 1938, published a curious report on the Buenos Aires city of Mar del Plata.
I was surprised to find the article among the thousands of publications that the National Library of Spainand that he mentions the good service of the trains that took vacationers from Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata, the luxurious life that the “aristocrats” used to lead in the city on the Atlantic coast, where “all the ideas of elegance and comfort in terms of summer customs of some of the most famous beaches in Europe were adopted”.
Here is the full note:
“When the refreshing breezes of autumn force the bathers of the North to return from the happy beaches of evil, our distant friends from Argentina and Uruguay prepare to wear their summer dresses and go out to seek rest and entertainment on the sandy beaches from Southamerica.
“Nature has reversed the holiday season, but not the pleasures it brings, for when we examine our remaining sports and pastimes, we find much in common in them. Nothing exerts a greater attraction on our spirit than the marvelous vision of the sea, and in all countries, those from beyond and from the Ocean, seek on the beaches, in the saline and iodine-laden breezes that come from the sea, the organic rest to while improving their physiology.
“Nothing exists that stimulates the nutritional change of our organism as much as the pure air of the sea that, by penetrating our lungs and charging our blood with oxygen, salt and iodine, stimulates its function to the maximum. From the arm of our readers, amicably Today, as good comrades, we are going to take a walk along one of the most famous Argentine beaches, the Queen of South American beaches that we could say, Mar del Plata.
“Mar del Plata is a small city of approximately 25,000 souls situated directly on the Atlantic about 250 miles to the SE. of Buenos Aires, and that now, at this precise moment, is at its full summer peak. To transport the armies of vacationers who go to the beach, the railway that leads to Mar del Plata establishes a special train service, in addition to the ordinary ones.
“The trains that make the route between the capital and its famous summer place, are counted, without a doubt, Among the most luxurious and comfortable in Argentina. Those who know the terrain well and are not very interested in admiring the landscape, make the journey at night, leaving Buenos Aires after dinner and arriving in Mar del Plata at dawn. The true tourist prefers to make the trip on day trains, thus having the opportunity to admire the prosperous cattle-raising region that it crosses and to enjoy the interesting vision presented by the endless and famous pampa of legends.
Mar del Plata, like the most famous and aristocratic beaches, is a true paradise for people with resources; although, judging by the crowd that both by land and by sea goes to this beach, it seems as if the riches were generously, lavishly distributed among all the citizens of the Argentine Republic. The history of Mar del Plata has been forged in the forge of our own days.
“Barely four decades ago, in Mar del Plata there was only one school, a mill and a church; a nucleus around which, in a very short time, the cell-city was to be formed, which today is worthy of so much admiration. In this To which we refer the beginning of the history of Mar del Plata, a notable man, D. Patricio Peralta Ramos, formulated a concession to build and improve the embryonic period, who hired the services of Engineer Charles de Chapeaurouge, to whom he commissioned the plans. we know, historically, that Pedro Luro, a large landowner in those places, contributed very well to the company.
“And now let’s jump back in time, and come to the present time. At sunset, with time to savor the beautiful sunset, we have arrived in Mar del Plata. As we are cautious, we had telegraphed to one of the several sumptuous hotels, ordering a room, and we settled in it.
“In the vicinity of Mar del Plata, the terrain is sometimes steep and abrupt, next to sandy and smooth beaches. During the busy construction period of the last decade, speculation raged, and land values rose overnight to fabulous prices. Sumptuous private residences and magnificent public buildings, hotels and other establishments were then built.
“The rich aristocrats had all the comforts and modern luxury installed in their houses, even if they were only to enjoy them a few months of the year, from December to March, which is the summer season; Y all the ideas of elegance and comfort in matters of summer customs were adopted from some of the most famous beaches in Europe.
“In the busiest part of the beach of Mar del Plata, a magnificent building was built, called La Rambla, adorned with an enormous number of columns grouped two by two, and in front of which, on the sand, seek the morning recreation the thousands and thousands of vacationers. La Rambla is the Atlantic City of the United States. Facing La Rambla, the sea bathes the sandy beach, where children enjoy building their mounds, small canals, toy lakesthat from time to time the waves come to renew their water, and to scare with the threat of a soaking the half-naked bodies of the childish hydraulic builders.
“The hotels, casinos and clubs of Mar del Plata are located in the city, unlike some northern Spanish beaches and the most important ones in the United States, which have been built near the seashore. The route of the trams and car ride is extremely picturesquepassing through beautiful tree-shaded streets and avenues, on which sides are sumptuous private residences.
“All kinds of amusements have been accumulated in Mar del Plata. The Club is one of the most famous Circles of the Argentine Republic. It is installed in its own building, and the doors are only open to members and their families, its rooms being considered the most famous social center of the beautiful summer residence. It is only open during the season.
“For those who seek a way to get away from the human bustle during the summer, or who want to contemplate the grandeur of the Ocean in a more spiritual calm, the surroundings of Mar del Plata are dotted with the most superb landscapes. It is curious to note that in Mar del Plata you can see more carriages drawn by magnificent trunks of horsesTo those who are so fond of Argentines, what cars”.
Photos: General Archive of the Nation / National Library of Spain
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